Summary:The sixth album for the experimental indie rock band was recorded in Delaware County in New York state and produced by the band's lead singer, Dave Longstreth.
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Record Label:Domino
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Experimental Rock
By the dazzlingly innovative and heartfelt record's end, the band has worked in a bit of everything it has to offer, and offered it with winning sincerity.
There is so much to both genuinely appreciate and enjoy on Swing Lo Magellan that it makes you wonder why these have to sometimes be exclusive ways to experience an album.
Swing Lo Magellan, then--deadly serious even at its most eccentric, wilfully awkward even at its most accessible, dense and intricate even at its most freewheeling. Same as it ever was.
The Dirty Projectors are still fantastic weirdos making fantastically weird music, but Swing Lo Magellan humanizes them by letting you see through to their heartstrings.
They have it in them to write great pop music or truly important experimental music, but Dirty Projectors have to decide where they want to end up before they start.
Simply put, the music on Swing Lo can't support its great ideas. To quote Dylan, "a song is anything that can walk by itself." Maybe time will prove me completely and utterly wrong, but as far as I can tell, nothing on Swing Lo walks by itself.
With this one, David has slowed down the prog elements and made them more digestible for the impatient and unintelligent. What you hear whenWith this one, David has slowed down the prog elements and made them more digestible for the impatient and unintelligent. What you hear when you listen is an ultra advanced musician dumbing down music to the level he feels comfortable doing so, and it is great.…Expand
One of the best two albums by the most creative band of the century so far. Experimental and playful as well as meaningful and challenging atOne of the best two albums by the most creative band of the century so far. Experimental and playful as well as meaningful and challenging at times... A delight to listen to.…Expand
A really great followup to what was already a fantastic album, Swing Lo Magellan is quirky, varied and probably the most listenable thing theA really great followup to what was already a fantastic album, Swing Lo Magellan is quirky, varied and probably the most listenable thing the group have ever made, even though they haven't lost any of the individuality and delicate craftsmanship that made past efforts so good. Blissfully weird and epic-sounding cuts "About to Die" and "See What She Seeing" that would sit perfectly in a playlist next to "Useful Chamber" or "Temecula Sunrise", are contrasted on the album with such minimal, beautifully written songs as the sugary "The Socialites" and the folksy title track. All in all, while it may not be an album that showcases Dave Longstreth's eccentric songwriting to its full extent, it does something even harder: it condenses all its elements into a collection that is both very accessible and likeable from the first listen.…Expand
It took a few listens but this album really grew on me, and now I love it. I wasn't a huge fan of Bitte Orca, but i will probably go back andIt took a few listens but this album really grew on me, and now I love it. I wasn't a huge fan of Bitte Orca, but i will probably go back and give it another listen after learning to really appreciate what they did on this album.…Expand
More approachable than Bitte Orca, but just as carefully crafted. This album's pleasantness does not detract from its artistry, and itsMore approachable than Bitte Orca, but just as carefully crafted. This album's pleasantness does not detract from its artistry, and its artistry does not impede its pleasantness. Hardcore Dirty Projectors fans may need a couple extra spins to appreciate the changes in Longstreth's songwriting, but this is a truly excellent album.…Expand
Really great album. The Dirty Projectors kinda switched out the adventurous nature of Bitte Orca for some straight up pop songs. TheReally great album. The Dirty Projectors kinda switched out the adventurous nature of Bitte Orca for some straight up pop songs. The harmonies, squiggly guitar, and quirky percussion are still there though not as daring and bold as previous efforts. They still do it better than anyone else in the game so they really only have themselves to beat but clearly they weren't out to make another Bitte Orca so don't hold it against them. The playfulness on songs like "Unto Caeser" is refreshing and the general sing-along tone of the album is communicated through David Longstreth's undeniable knack for melody. Even in the quite moments like "Impregnable Question" and "Irresponsible Tune" Longstreth shows that hes not above cryptic lyrics and intricate instrumentation all the time. The album cover is also the best of the year so far and displays quite a funny scenario. I feel the caption should read "yeah were in a rock band..ya know...with guitars and stuff".…Expand
I found songwriter David Longstreth's explanation to almost every song of this album on RapGenius.com and this dude is saying pretty muchI found songwriter David Longstreth's explanation to almost every song of this album on RapGenius.com and this dude is saying pretty much always "I'm not sure what I want to say with it; I can't really explain it; I don't know; etc." And I'm just thinking what the hell I should think of this CD now. I don't know what he wants to tell me with the lyrics and he doesn't know either. Their style is good and partly, when I get the meaning of the songs, it's also very nice to listen to. But if I don't get the lyrics I'm confused and additionally their kind of music is a very strange one. The songs don't touch me and the lyrics often seem meaningless. But half of the songs are still quite nice.…Collapse